Rail anchor



May 10, 1938. 1.. SPENCER RAIL ANCHOR Filed Oct. 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheetl Inventor Z; 68 57a eneer A iiorneys May 10, 1938. s 2,116,955

RAIL ANCHOR Filed Oct. 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor Ze s ews BJQMML.4 iiorneys Patented May 10, 1938 s PATENT OFFICE RAIL ANCHOR troductorystatement, it is quite evident that many different styles and types ofrail anchors have been employed to guard against so-called accidentallongitudinal slippage of track rails on their supporting ties. Itfollows, therefore, that my primary aim is to provide a specifically newanchor believed to be more aptly fitted and efficient for the purposesintended.

Admittedly, whatever novelty exists in anchors of this type, ispredicated primarily on the structural refinements and physicalimprovements. Hence, I aim to generally improve upon those devices knownto me by providing one of unusual simplicity and convenience,characterized by a retaining element having means at opposite ends forengagement with the base flange of the rail, the means at one end beingin the form of a hook, designed to accommodate a detachable readilyrenewable and adjustable cap constituting a reliable detent or retainingthimble.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from thefollowing description and drawings.

In the drawings, wherein like numerals are employed to designate likeparts throughout the views:

Figure 1 is a view showing, in section, a conventional railway rail ortrack supported on a conventional tie and further illustrating theimproved anti-creeping anchor as perfected in accordance with myimproved idea.

Figure 2 is an end view of Figure 1, that is a View observing same in adirection from left to right.

Figure 3 is a view detailing in section, the socalled detachableadjustable capping thimble.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the especially bent and designedanchoring element.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the improved retaining cap or thimble.

Reference being had to Figure 4 it will be observed here that the anchorper se is denoted by the numeral 6 while the thimble or detent cap isdiiferentiated by the numeral 1.

The part 6 comprises a bar of appropriate length which is preferablyrectangular in crosssectional form. The body portion 8 has a centraldepending bend as at 9 which in practice depends alongside of theconventional cross-tie l0.

Flushing, N. Y.

1937, Serial No. 167,449

Moreover this part 9 is of a length to extend beneath and beyond thelongitudinal edges of the base flange ll of the rail l2. At one end itis provided with an upstanding lug l3 engageable with theadjacent edgeof, the base flange H as shown to advantage in Figure. 1. The oppositeend is formed into a returnbend as at M to provide a hook l5 whose billextends well over and above the adjacent surface of the base flange H.Now while the part 8 could be of some other cross sectional form thanshown it is preferable that the terminal or bill of the hook l4 shouldbe polygonal in cross sectional form in order to satisfactorilyaccommodate the bonding cap or thimble I.

The retaining cap I for the anchoring unit 6 is shown to advantage inFigure 5 and as here indicated preferably comprises a rectangular block.Opening through one end thereof is a socket l6 of a cross-sectionaldimension and design corresponding to the adapter shank or bill IS. Thesocket, it will be observed, is off center. That is to say, itslongitudinal axis with respect to the longitudinal axis of the block 1as a single bod is so disposed as to define what may be called fourselectively usable retaining or binding surfaces. These aredistinguishably indicated by the numerals l1, l8, l9, and 20. Thesesurfaces are progressively spaced away from the axis of the socket, thesurface I! being the closer one, the surface 20 being the remote one,and the other two being intermediate in proper progressive order.Consequently, this part 1 may be applied to bring any one of the foursurfaces into resting or binding contact with the upper beveled side ofthe rail flange II in a position seen in Figures 1 and 2.

It is to be further observed that the anchor retaining cap or thimble lis readily detachable and applicable and is also renewable. The unit 6is built for longevity. The part I is susceptible of renewal if and whenunduly worn. As a general proposition when one surface becomes worn itcan be bodily turned in an axial direction to bring one of the thickersurfaces into position to compensate for such wear.

There are many other commercial features and advantages found to existin this device from the viewpoint of those familiar with railroadappliances and accessories. It is unnecessary however to enumerate thesehere.

It is thought that the description taken in connection with the drawingswill enable a clear understanding of theinvention to be had. Therefore,a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that minor changes coming Within thefield of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

I claim:

1. A rail anchor of the class described comprising a longitudinallyelongated bar provided with an upstanding lug at one end, and aninturned hook at the opposite end, the bill of said hook overlying thebody portion and being polygonal in cross sectional form, and a capincluding a correspondingly proportioned and shaped polygonal socketreceiving the bill portion of said'hook, said cap being rectangular incross sectional form and presenting a plurality of selectively usableflat sides for binding frictional contact with the adjacent surface ofthe base flange of the rail, and the socket in said cap being off-setwith relation to the longitudinal axis of the cap to permit thedistances of said flat binding surfaces to be varied and regulated withrespect to the longitudinal axis of the bill of the hook.

2. A rail anchor of the class described comprising a longitudinallyelongated member provided at one end with an upstanding lug to abut onelongitudinal edge of the base flange of the rail, the opposite end ofsaid member being provided with a hook, the bill portion of said hookbeing adapted to overlie said base flange and being polygonal in crosssectional form, and a bodily detachable block-like cap slidably mountedon said bill, said cap having selectively usable flat sides for bindingfrictional contact with the adjacent face of the base flange of the railand being further provided with an off-set socket for reception of saidbill.

3. A rail anchor of the class described comprising an attaching memberadapted to underlie and partially embrace the base flange of aconventional rail, said member being provided at one end with flangecontacting and retention means, the opposite end thereof being formedinto a hook having a bill portion polygonal in cross sec-

